Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, Dan Lecca, courtesy of Mercedes Benz
We are always amazed and impressed when a designer attempts to design 2 or more collections. Marc Jacobs continues to do it successfully, and Michael Kors did it well during his tenure at Celine.
Most recently, Max Azria has chosen to challenge himself by adding the celebrated Herve Leger brand to his design duties. Prior to that, he was already designing 2 successful brands: BCBG, and Max Azria.
It takes a special person to take an iconic brand such as Herve Leger and tweak it just enough but not so much that you end up changing its integral DNA. Karl Lagerfeld continues to do this at Chanel and for his first season, Max Azria has done it for Herve Leger.
WHY HERVE LEGER IS NO LONGER BEING DESIGNED BY M. LEGER
This was a bit confusing and bears a short explanation. Below, a timeline of the events that led to the Herve Leger by Max Azria Fall 2008 Collection
TIMELINE
1985: The original Herve Leger house is founded
1998: BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP acquires Herve Leger fashion house
Early 2007: Max Azria re-launches the Herve Leger label with his own designs
February 2008: Max Azria shows his designs for Herve Leger to the press and buyers at the Bryant Park shows.
THE HERVE LEGER RUNWAY SHOW
This was certainly one of the most anticipated events of this NY Fashion Week. Said a 30-year fashion veteran sitting next to us, “ Here’s major money meeting a major legacy. I’m dying to know what happens!”
Mr. Azria didn’t forget the legacy, at all. The sexy sound track with a throbbing urban beat was what you’d hear at a French club.
The look: Bandages! Or, the “band dress” as these hot little numbers were referred to in the run of show. There were enough to satisfy the most die-hard [original Leger] fan.
What we loved: The mini and midi dress versions, minus the distracting bows and pleated ribbons on the front. These dresses were strong enough to stand on their own. All that was needed were what we’ll call THE SHOE OF THE WEEK – those gorgeous high heeled stamped croco pumps every woman in our row was oohing over.
Ultimate Luxe: Exit #12, this beige cashmere band cardigan worn with a beige bandage and stamped croco belt was an outfit a seventies’ shipping heiress would have adored and gladly worn.
On Trend: Mr.Azria even threw in a jumpsuit, and showed a bridal dress at the end, a trend we haven’t seen in years. Seems this throw-back to the late eighties is catching on again, we saw quite a few other bridal gowns closing shows later in the week.
Mr. Azria's parade at the end showed this to be a cohesive collection and met the necessary high glamour quotient a name like Herve Leger deserves.